Bonding of substrates induced by ionizing radiation

ABSTRACT

A reactive polymer composition is provided, containing a (co)polymer that forms one or more reactive moities, either directly or indirectly, upon application of an ionizing radiation; and a multifunctional curing coagent, along with systems and methods for bonding substrates to one another using such a composition.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.14/959,198, filed Dec. 4, 2015, now allowed, which is a Divisional ofU.S. application Ser. No. 14/103,084, filed Dec. 11, 2013, abandoned.The present application also claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/735,754, filed Dec. 11, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the activation of suitably reactivechemistries across an interface after initiating a chemical reactionusing a deeply penetrating form of ionizing energy including x-rays,gamma radiation, and e-beam. The present invention covers methods ofuse, to enable generation of a reactive species, such as radicals,cations, anions, etc, and subsequently bond formation across aninterface, particularly polymers bonding, and more particularly tomethods for using direct bond scission and reactive species generationof reactive chemistries under X-Ray, e-beam and UV radiation and thermalenergy in applications where two objects become bonded across theirinterface in the absence of direct line of sight.

Discussion of the Background

Adhesives are well known and are used for a wide variety ofapplications. One particularly important application domain is in thefield of manufacturing and assembly, where thermoset adhesives are usedto bond one material to another material. Commercially availablematerials are formulated to meet various requirements, and in additionto the monomer(s) may contain particulate fillers such as metal, oxides,or dielectric powders, as well as various additives to control thermalconductivity, viscosity and other properties. The adhesive materials aretypically dispensed as a thixotropic fluid in precise locations, andafter all the parts are placed, the entire assembly is heated to atemperature necessary to polymerize the monomers or crosslink resins.The adhesion of two objects is done by adding the adhesive material atthe interface of two objects to be bonded. The potential elimination ofthe addition of a third layer (the adhesive in this case) would be ofgreat benefits. The tool used to dispense an adhesive is eliminated andthe step required to cure the adhesive under heat is also renderedobsolete which saves overall cycle time.

As modern assembly methods evolve and more process steps are streamlinedfor a more efficient and more vertically integrated process, the stepsneeded to maximize assembly tool utilization, the permissible thermalbudget and process cycle time during assembly continue to decrease.Faster manufacturing and higher yields are always of great benefit tothe manufacturers.

The clear limitation of conventional photoinitiators is the need to havedirect line-of-sight access to a suitable light source. The clearlimitation of conventional thermally activated adhesive is the inherentpoor thermal conductivity of the materials to be bonded which results ina long process time. The direct welding of two interfaces would behighly desirable. A further disadvantage of thermal activation ofadhesives is the potential thermal expansion mis-match when bondingunlike materials to one another.

Furthermore, the assemblies used for various commercial products arerelatively small. While electron beam can deliver a desirable source ofradiation, the electron beam is not compact and is more applicable tolarge form factors (such is the case of a wide web process for example).X-Ray energy is delivered through a more compact set of equipment andcan be integrated in various tools for more efficient tool utilization.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide novelmaterial chemistry which has the ability to form a reactive moiety, suchas free radicals or ions, under X-Ray energy, alone or in combinationwith UV radiation and/or heat for further enhancement of reactive moietyformation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide reactivechemistries and associated methods of use to bond two substrates acrosstheir interface under X-Ray, e-beam and UV radiation, wherein thereactive chemistries react by way of a mechanism including, but notlimited to, chain scission, photo-initiation, and a combination of chainscission and photo-initiation in the absence of line-of-sight.

A further object of the present invention is to provide methods forbonding two or more substrates together wherein the bond formation atthe interface between two substrates is achieved without the requirementof thermal heating; although, thermal heating can be used in some casesto assist in the achievement of better bonding properties, as desired.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adhesivecomposition that may be cured at ambient temperature.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a film compositioncontaining a polymer that undergoes a reaction to form a reactive moietythereon, such as chain scission, under X-Ray or e-beam radiation, andthat contains one or more down-converting energy converters, such as aphosphor or scintillator material.

These and other objects of the present invention, either individually orin combinations of two or more, have been satisfied by the discovery ofa reactive polymer composition comprising:

a (co)polymer that forms one or more reactive moieties either directlyor indirectly, upon application of an ionizing radiation; and

a multifunctional curing coagent;

and its use in systems and methods for bonding substrates to oneanother.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:3

FIG. 1 provides an emission spectrum under X-Ray for several phosphors.

FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of phosphors with or without acoating, and when a ball mill is used, individually coated powders.

FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of an aggregate of the phosphorscoated with PMMA resin.

FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of an aggregate of a plurality ofdifferent phosphors coated using PMMA, which may optionally contain aperoxide chemistry.

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of forming a film by taking slurryand using a drawing knife.

FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of using a die cutter to punch acut out from a phosphor loaded conformable film.

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of how a conformable film that isphosphor loaded can accommodate stretching and maintaining its shapeacross complex interfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to novel material chemistries which havethe ability to form one or more reactive moieties, including but notlimited to free radicals, cations, anions, carbenes, nitrenes, etc.,under X-Ray or e-beam energy, alone or in combination with UV radiationand/or heat for further enhancement of reactive moiety formation, whichupon the formation of such reactive moieties, can be used to effectbonding of two adjacent substrates.

In its simplest form, the present invention provides a reactive polymercomposition comprising:

a (co)polymer that forms one or more reactive moieties, either directlyor indirectly, upon application of an ionizing radiation; and

a multifunctional curing coagent.

The present invention further provides a system for bonding, comprising:

a first substrate having at least one surface containing a firstreactive polymer composition;

a second substrate, optionally having at least one surface containing asecond reactive polymer composition;

wherein the first reactive polymer composition and the second reactivepolymer composition may be the same or different, and each comprises a(co)polymer that forms one or more reactive moieties, either directly orindirectly, upon application of an ionizing radiation and amultifunctional curing coagent; and

a source of ionizing radiation.

The present invention additionally provides a method for bonding,comprising:

providing a first substrate and a second substrate to be bondedtogether, wherein the first and second substrates may be the same ordifferent;

providing a first reactive polymer composition comprising a (co)polymerthat forms one or more reactive moieties, either directly or indirectly,upon application of an ionizing radiation and a multifunctional curingcoagent, wherein the first reactive polymer composition is in contactwith at least one of the first and second substrates;

placing the first and second substrates in close proximity to oneanother; and

applying the ionizing radiation, thus forming the one or more reactivemoieties in the first reactive polymer composition which react to form abond between the first and second substrates.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method forbonding, comprising:

providing a first substrate and a second substrate to be bondedtogether, wherein the first and second substrates may be the same ordifferent;

providing a first reactive polymer composition comprising a (co)polymerthat forms one or more reactive moieties, either directly or indirectly,upon application of an ionizing radiation and a multifunctional curingcoagent, wherein the first reactive polymer composition is in the formof a conformable film or coating;

placing the first and second substrates in close proximity to oneanother and having the first reactive polymer composition therebetween;and

applying the ionizing radiation, thus forming the one or more reactivemoieties in the first reactive polymer composition which react to form abond between the first and second substrates.

The present invention reactive chemistries located across an interfacebetween two substrates preferably are complimentary and reactive to oneanother. In one preferred embodiment, the reactive chemistries of thepresent invention can form the surface of one or both substrates, whichupon activation using the high energy radiation, undergo reaction toform the one or more reactive moieties, preferably free radicals, whichresult in bonding one layer to the other across the interface. In analternate embodiment, a compatibilizing intermediary layer can be usedwhich reacts with each substrate surface independently, while using theintermediary layer to effect the bond between the layers. In a furtherembodiment, the substrate surfaces are coated with the reactivechemistry, which results in reactive moiety formation, and the creationof chemical bonds between components of the coating on the surface, andbetween the coatings on each surface. In the present invention, theapplication of X-ray radiation to the novel chemistry causes theformation and/or release of a catalyst at the bonding interface.

The present invention relates to reactive chemistries and associatedmethods of use to bond two substrates across their interface underX-Ray, e-beam and UV radiation, wherein the reactive chemistries reactby way of a mechanism including, but not limited to, radical formation(which can be by hydrogen or other atom or group abstraction, chainscission, or any other mechanism forming radicals), cation or anionformation, photo-initiation, and a combination of two or more of theabove in the absence of line-of-sight.

The present invention methods are used for bonding two or moresubstrates together wherein the bond formation at the interface betweentwo substrates is achieved without the requirement of UV activation orthermal heating. However, in an alternate embodiment, either or both ofUV activation and thermal heating can be used in some cases to assist inthe achievement of better bonding properties, as desired.

Within the context of the present invention, the term “substrate” or“substrates” is used merely to refer to an object being acted upon inthe present invention method, such that the bonding of two substratescauses at least one surface of a first substrate to bond to at least onesurface of a second substrate. While the method is described withrespect to bonding two substrates to one another, it is possible to usethe present invention method to simultaneously, or sequentially, bondmultiple substrates to one another, depending on the final structuredesired.

In this invention, substrates are caused to form a bond either directlyor indirectly under the application of X-Ray energy, e-beam or acombination of UV and X-Ray and e-beam energy. In the present invention,these sources of energy can operate interchangeably, depending on thechemistry used.

In the case of the direct bond formation between two substrates, thechemistries of the two substrates is modified and made to include thenovel reactive chemistries at their interfaces. The novel reactivechemistries can be disposed at the interface of the two substrates byvirtue of being interwoven (or blended) in the composition of theobjects or can be applied as a surface modification or coating on thesurface of the substrate to be bonded. In the case where one substrateis made of a polymer material, the reactive chemistry may be blended inas a co-polymer. The substrates can be made of any material, including,but not limited to, polymers and plastics, glass, ceramics, metals,metal oxides, etc.

In the case of indirect bond formation between two substrates, a layerof the present invention chemistry is applied either to one or bothsubstrate surfaces to be bonded, or as a separate layer in the interfaceformed between the two substrate surfaces to be bonded, followed bypressing the objects together and exposing the thus formed assembly toX-Ray energy. The layer of the present invention chemistry is preferablyapplied as a conformable coating or as a conformable film.

The present invention reactive chemistries get activated by X-Ray energyand or the combination of X-Ray and UV radiation. In embodiments thatuse UV radiation, when line-of-sight is not possible, or when thesubstrate material is not UV transmissive, the UV radiation at theinterface of the two substrates in the present invention is generatedthrough the down conversion of X-Ray energy into UV energy enabled byenergy modulating agents, preferably in particle form. Suitable energymodulation agents and particles are disclosed in U.S. application Ser.No. 12/764,184, filed Apr. 21, 2010; U.S. application Ser. No.12/763,404, filed Apr. 20, 2010; U.S. application Ser. No. 12/843,188,filed Jul. 26, 2010; U.S. application Ser. No. 12/891,466, filed Sep.27, 2010; U.S. application Ser. No. 12/943,787, filed Nov. 10, 2010;U.S. application Ser. No. 13/054,279, filed Jul. 13, 2011; U.S.application Ser. No. 13/102,277, filed May 6, 2011; U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/204,355, filed Aug. 5, 2011; U.S. application Ser. No.12/725,108, filed Mar. 16, 2010; U.S. application Ser. No. 12/059,484,filed Mar. 31, 2008; U.S. application Ser. No. 11/935,655, filed Nov. 6,2007; U.S. application Ser. No. 12/401,478 filed Mar. 10, 2009; U.S.application Ser. No. 11/935,655, filed Nov. 6, 2007; and Ser. No.12/059,484, filed Mar. 31, 2008; U.S. application Ser. No. 12/389,946,filed Feb. 20, 2009; and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/417,779, filedApr. 3, 2009, the entire disclosures of each of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the generation ofthe reactive moiety, and formation of the bonds between substrates isperformed at ambient temperature. This is particularly important in thecase where the two substrates to be bonded are made of materials havingdiffering coefficients of thermal expansion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a film compositioncontaining a polymer that undergoes reactive moiety formation underexposure to ionizing radiation, and that contains a down-convertingenergy modulation agent, preferably a phosphor or scintillator material.

The reactive moieties of the present invention can be any reactivemoiety that can be formed by reaction of the reactive composition withionizing radiation, either by direct interaction with the ionizingradiation, or indirectly through energy conversion by an energymodulating agent to generate UV or another energy that generates thereactive moiety. The reactive moieties include, but are not limited to,free radicals, cations, anions, carbenes, nitrenes, etc. For ease ofdiscussion, the following discussion is drawn to generation of freeradicals. However, one of ordinary skill would understand that the sameprocedures can be used to generate the other forms of reactive moieties,which can then interact with compositions to form bonds, thus resultingin bonding of two substrates.

Organic Peroxides:

Peroxides and more suitably organic peroxides are widely usedcommercially to initiate and create free-radical polymerization. Someperoxides are initiated by ionizing radiation and others are thermallyactivated. Examples of suitable peroxides of interest in the presentinvention include, but are not limited to:

-   2,5-Bis(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethylhexane, (preferably blended    with calcium carbonate and silica)

Oxygen Inhibition:

Once a free-radical initiation takes place, the polymerization ofvarious chemistries can take place. However, in such free radicalinitiated reactions, oxygen inhibition can take place, resulting inincomplete polymerization, and incomplete reaction between chains. Theoxygen dissolved in a given polymeric substance can play the role of achain terminator in a free-radical curing reaction, by way of theformation of a peroxy radical, as shown in the scheme below. Oxygeninhibition is particularly pronounced in systems lacking activehydrogen.

Active hydrogen containing compounds are able to counteract the peroxyradical which leads to further reaction. Oxygen inhibition can becircumvented using various techniques. Some active systems to counteractoxygen inhibition include the presence of hindered/secondary amines(˜NH) and allylic (C═C—CH₂—) moieties. Methacrylates contain suchallylic hydrogen moities and are less susceptible than acrylates tooxygen inhibition.

Another strategy for counteracting oxygen inhibition is by the inclusionof compounds having multiple active hydrogens. This can particularly beimproved by increasing the functionality from di- to tri- andtetra-functionality. Tetra-functional alcohols provide monomers with sixand eight functionalities.

Catalyst:

The compositions of the present invention can be fine-tuned to includethe appropriate concentration of these monomers along with systems withactive hydrogen as well as photo and/or heat active peroxides. Iron, andmore generally, catalytic transition metals result in the formation ofhydroxyl radicals (HO⋅) superoxide generating systems. Those of ordinaryskill in the art understand that superoxide can reduce ADP-Fe(III) toADP-Fe(II) and, this iron facilitates the apparent production of (HO⋅).Chelating agents (in the proper proportions) can also alter thereactivity of iron in superoxide-generating systems. It has been shownthat EDTA3 enhances the reactivity of iron toward O₂⋅— while DETAPAC4drastically slows the O₂⋅— reaction with iron. The use of catalysts andchelating agents is beneficial to optimizing the desirable free radicalgeneration that leads to the desirable reactions.

In a further preferred embodiment, catalysts can be added for increasingfree radical formation. Suitable catalysts include, but are not limitedto, manganese naphthenate, cobalt naphthenate, and vanadium pentoxidequaternary ammonium salt can be used.

In the case where there is a combination of a UV and a heat activatedperoxide, an initial UV activation can subsequently engender anexothermic reaction which in turn engender the activation of a thermalperoxide. Another simple method of minimizing oxygen inhibition is tocarry out the reaction using an inert atmosphere. The flow of nitrogenand argon on the surface of the materials can be used to limit theoxygen exposure and minimize oxygen induced cure inhibition.

Resins:

The fundamental advantages of the present invention are widelyapplicable to a variety of resins. The examples provided here areillustrative of examples rather than inclusive of the possibilities.

In the present invention, the term polymer includes both homopolymersand copolymers, which collectively can be referred to as (co)polymers.Polymers are molecules with many repetitive units (monomers). The unitscan be the same (identical) in which case this would be a homopolymer.On the other hand the polymer be made of dissimilar units (monomers) inwhich case the polymer would be a copolymer. Covalent bonding isprevalent but there are cases where ionic bonds and hydrogen bonding ispresent, depending on the particular monomers present. Examples ofmonomeric species include, but are not limited to, acrylates,methacrylates, olefins (such as ethylene, propylene, butylene andmixtures thereof), ethers, styrenes, fluoroolefins (such asfluoroethylenes, tetrafluoroethylenes, etc), esters, carbonates,urethanes, vinyl chlorides, vinyl chloride acetates, amides, imides,acetals, methylpentenes, sulfones, acrylics, styrene acrylics,acrylonitrile, etc. Examples of a co-polymer would include, for example,a polymer made from two or more of these species. Furthermore, thedefinition extends to more than two monomeric species includingterpolymers, and a variety of side groups of different structures thanthe blended monomeric species. The term polymer is inclusive of any ofthese variations. Within the present invention, when the presentinvention composition contains a polymer, it is important that thepolymer be able to generate a free radical species by any free radicalgeneration mechanism available to the polymer, including, but notlimited to, hydrogen, atom or group abstraction, chain scission, radicaladdition to unsaturation points in the polymer, etc.

Activation with X-Ray:

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is desired toinitiate a chemical reaction using a deeply penetrating and ionizingform of energy such as X-Ray or e-beam (the initiation energy). The term“X-Ray susceptible polymer” refers to a polymer chemistry that undergoesfree radical formation, such as by atom/group abstraction, chainscission, or other mechanism, under X-Ray; and, as a result will havevarious characteristics (at least one) changing post exposure to theinitiation energy. The molecular weight of the polymer can be reduced ora side group can be cleaved. Either one of these characteristics isdesirable in the present invention. Extended exposure to the initiationenergy could result in degradation and therefore there is a lowthreshold of energy (Lower dose for initiation) required to initiate thereaction and an upper energy dose which represents a damage threshold(upper dose control limit).

In one embodiment of the present invention, an example of a “X-Raysusceptible polymer” can include, but is not limited to, aliphaticpolymers. Aliphatic polymers can include alicyclic (no-aromatic rings),alkanes (single bonds), alkenes (unsaturated with double bonds), alkynes(triple bonds) of carbon and hydrogen atoms. One example of an aliphaticpolymer would be polyethylene, or a polyethylene-polypropylenecopolymer.

Peroxides are widely used commercially to initiate and createfree-radical initiation. The reactive free radical species generatedthen reacts with its environment to form chemical bonds. Such methodsare used, for example, to graft maleic anhydride to polyolefins. Ingeneral chain scission can outpace competing reactions. For example, inthe particular case of propylene, chain scission and grafting arecompetitive reactions. However, chain scission outpaces grafting whichcurbs the achievable molecular weight of the grafted resin.

Suitable polyolefins include, but are not limited to polyethylene (PE),polypropylene (PP) and ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA). Polyethylene isconventionally classified according to its density as Very Low DensityPolyethylene (VLDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Linear LowDensity Polyethylene (LLDPE), Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE), andHigh Density Polyethylene (HDPE).

Examples of propylene polymers include propylene homopolymers andcopolymers of propylene with ethylene or another unsaturated co-monomer.Copolymers also include terpolymers, tetrapolymers, etc. Typically, theunits originating from propylene monomer comprise at least about 70weight percent of the copolymer.

The mechanical and chemical properties of these resins can be tailoredto become suitable for the desired application. The resin type, thecatalyst, molecular weight, molecular weight distribution (MWD),crystallinity, branching and density all play a role in themicrostructure and the behavior of the resin and its performance in theend use application. The choice of these characteristics depending onend use is well within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art.

As a free radical inducing species for use in the present composition,suitable compounds include, but are not limited to, organic peroxides,azo free-radical initiators, and bicumene. Preferably, the free-radicalinducing species is an organic peroxide. The organic peroxide can beadded via direct injection or via blending with the chemistry of thepolymer. The addition of the organic peroxide is in an amount sufficientto provide a concentration of free radicals sufficient for initiatingreaction at enough sites to effect bonding, preferably from about 0.005weight percent to about 20 weight percent, more preferably from about0.25 weight percent to about 10 weight percent, most preferably fromabout 0.5 weight percent to about 5 weight percent.

In a similar fashion to the technical strategies employed to prohibitoxygen inhibition, the present invention methods can optionally employone or more co-grafting reagents in order to minimize (or curb) chainscission. For this reason reagents containing two or more terminalcarbon-carbon double bonds or triple bonds can be combined withfree-radical generation to mitigate the loss in melt viscosity ofpolypropylene by coupling of polymer chains.

Optional Additives:

The present invention compositions can optionally further containvarious conventional components that are suitable for the desiredapplication. These can include, but are not limited to, the followingagents: fillers, clays, fire retardant, scorch inhibitors, and blowingagents such as azodicarbonamide.

Activation with X-Ray and UV:

A preferred method of generating free-radicals in the present inventioninclude the use of X-rays, electron-beam and gamma radiation. Thepresent invention can use either X-ray or e-beam both as a source offree radical generation instead of, or in addition to UV light. UVgeneration is performed via the use of energy modulation agents,preferably in the form of particles, that absorb X-ray and convert it toUV. These particles are disposed at the interface where bonding istargeted to take place. The UV light (regardless of its generation) canin turn engender additional free radical generation.

Functional Energy Modulation Agents:

In one aspect of the invention, an energy modulation agent is added tothe chemistry where the energy modulation agent is combined with anorganic peroxide and an organic vehicle. Examples of the energymodulation agent include, but are not limited to: BaFCl:Eu²⁺, BaSO₄⁻:Eu²⁺, LaOBr:Tm³⁺, YTaO₄, YTaO₄:Nb(*), CaWO₄, LaOBr:Tb³⁺, Y₂O₂S:Tb³⁺,ZnS:Ag, (Zn,Cd)S:Ag, Gd₂O₂S:Tb³⁺, La₂O₂S:Tb³⁺. A more comprehensive listis provided in the following table.

The present inventors have also used visible phosphors that have thecapability to generate radical oxygen species under X-Ray. The emissionunder X-Ray is shown in FIG. 1.

Emission Spectrum X-Ray Peak Absorption Phosphor Emission Emiss K-edgeSpecific Crystal Color (nm) Eff (%) Eff (z) (keV) Gravity StructureHygroscopic Zn3(PO4)2:Tl+ 310 N BaF2 310 Slightly CsI 315 NCa3(PO4)2:Tl+ 330 N YTaO4 337 59.8 67.42 7.5 Monolithic N CsI:Na 338 YBaSi2O5:Pb2+ 350 N Borosilicate 350 N LaCl3(Ce) 350 Y SrB4O7F:Eu2+ 360 NRbBr:Tl+ 360 ? (Ba, Sr, Mg,)3Si207:Pb2+ 370 N YAlO3:Ce3+ 370 N BC-422370 Organic ? BaFCl:Eu2+ 380 13 49.3 37.38 4.7 Tetragonal N BaSO4-:Eu2+390 6 45.5 37.38 4.5 Rhombic N BaFBr:Eu2+ 390 ? BC-420 391 Organic ?BC-414 392 Organic ? SrMgP207:Eu2+ 394 N BaBr2:Eu2+ 400 N (Sr,Ba)Al2Si2O8:Eu2+ 400 N YTaO4:Nb(*) 410 11 59.8 67.42 7.5 Monolithic NY2SiO5:Ce3+ 410 N CaWO4 420 5 61.8 69.48 6.1 Tetragonal N LaOBr:Tb3+ 42020 49.3 38.92 6.3 Tetragonal N Y2O2S:Tb3+ 420 18 34.9 17.04 4.9 HexgonalN Lu2SiO5:Ce3+ 420 N Lu1.8Y0.2SiO5:Ce 420 N ZnS:Ag 450 17 26.7 9.66 3.9Hexgonal N CdWO4 475 Slightly Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) 480 N (Zn, Cd)S:Ag 530 1938.4 9.66/26.7 4.8 Hexgonal N Gd2O2S:Tb3+ 545 13 59.5 50.22 7.3 HexgonalN La2O2S:Tb3+ 545 12.5 52.6 38.92 6.5 Hexgonal N Y3Al5O12 (Ce) 550 NLaOBr:Tm3+ 360, 460 14 49.3 38.92 6.3 Tetragonal N CaF2(Eu) 435/300 N

The various energy modulation agent (such as phosphor) particles can bepreferably coated using poly(methyl)methacrylate (PMMA). The process wasperformed by first dissolving PMMA into acetone and then rolling thephosphors with the solution in a ball mill using 5 mm zirconia as thegrinding and mixing balls. The solution is then recovered and thendried. Upon acetone evaporation the particles were left with a surfacecoating of PMMA. Alternatively, the energy modulation agent can beincorporated directly into a polymer contained in the reactive chemistryof the present invention (either in the surface of the substrate, or ina coating applied to the substrate, or in an intermediary layer) byusing the phosphor as a particulate filler, which is blended into thecomposition using any conventional mixing method. The energy modulationagent/phosphor be used with or without a coating, and when a ball millis used, a number of powders can be individually coated (see FIG. 2).

The thickness of the coating can be estimated from the followingcalculations:

PMMA Coating target thickness (nano meters)  50 Phosphor Density (g/cc) 7.5 Calculations Particle Size (m) 1.00E−06 Density (g/m³) 7.50E+06Volume (m³) 5.23E−19 Surface Area (m²) 7.85E−13 Weight per particle (g)3.93E−12 Number of particles per gram 2.55E+11 Desirable CoatingThickness (m) 5E−08 Volume of the coating per gram 1.00E−08 Density ofPMMA (g/cc)  1.4 Density of PMMA (g/m3) 1.40E+06 Weight of PMMApreferred per gram of 1.40E−02 phosphor Slurry Composition (per gram ofphosphor) Phosphor (g)  1 PMMA (g) 1.40E−02 Acetone (cc)  12.5 Zirconia(g) 125 Jar Volume (cc)  50

Furthermore, the PMMA coating can include some of the desirable organicperoxide chemistries. These chemistries can be added in liquid form andcan be rolled in a jar in the ball mill in acetone. Upon drying thesolvent, the PMMA coating is doped with the organic peroxide chemistry.As an example, dicumyl peroxide can be added at 1% by weight in theprevious table.

If the particles are not completely dispersed then an aggregate of thephosphors can be coated with the PMMA resin (See FIG. 3).

Furthermore, if a combination of different phosphors are used then aaggregate of the plurality of different phosphors can be coated usingPMMA, which may optionally contain a peroxide chemistry (see FIG. 4).The molecular weight of the PMMA can vary as needed to form a coating.

By adding the weight percent in the mix to high enough levels, such asabove 0.03 g per 1 g of phosphors, the coating no longer forms adiscontinuous phase where individual particles are coated; but, rather,the particles start to neck and to connect laterally which culminates inthe formation of a film. At a ratio of 5 weight percent of higher, thenecking of particles enables the formation of a film. The film can bepreferably obtained by taking the slurry and using a drawing knife (FIG.5). The conformable film can be drawn using a 1 mil to 8 mil knife. Adie cutter can punch a cut out from the phosphor loaded conformable filmas shown in FIG. 6. Various geometries can be formed in this manner. Theconformable film that is phosphor loaded can accommodate stretching andmaintaining its shape across complex interfaces (see FIG. 7).

Furthermore, the preparation of the film can be done using plasticizersin the mix prior to casting. About 2% to 5% by weight is a preferablerange of such plasticizers. Plasticizers with boiling point temperaturesabove room temperature remain embedded in the film and make the film'ssurface sticky. This is desirable in case the film is to be used betweentwo substrates to be adhered. Examples of suitable plasticizers include,but are not limited to, tripropylene glycol. The addition of a smallamount of tripropylene glycol in the film (around 2% by weight ofsolids) and the placement of the film at the interface of two substratesallows a good material transport between the substrates and promotesbonding. Excessive tripropylene glycol would prohibit adhesion.H[OC₂H₃(CH₃)]₃OH   Tripropylene glycol

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for bonding, comprising: providinga first substrate and a second substrate to be bonded together, whereinthe first and second substrates may be the same or different; providinga conformable film or conformable coating formed from a first reactivepolymer composition comprising a (co)polymer that forms one or morereactive moieties, either directly or indirectly, upon application of anionizing radiation and a multifunctional curing coagent to reduce oxygeninhibition, minimize or curb chain scission, or both; forming a threepiece construction by placing the first and second substrates in closeproximity to one another and placing the conformable film or conformablecoating therebetween; and applying the ionizing radiation, thus formingthe one or more reactive moieties in the first reactive polymercomposition of the conformable film or conformable coating, which reactto form in a bond between the first and second substrates.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the one or more reactive moieties is at least onemember selected from the group consisting of free-radicals, cations,anions, carbenes, and nitrenes.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein theone or more reactive moieties are one or more free-radicals.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the multifunctional curing coagent minimizesoxygen inhibition.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the multifunctionalcuring coagent is a compound having multiple active hydrogens.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the compound having multiple active hydrogensis a di-, tri-, or tetra-functional compound.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the compound having multple active hydrogens is an alcoholcompound.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the alcohol compound is atetra-functional alcohol.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein themultifunctional curing coagent minimizes or curbs chain scission. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein the multifunctional curing coagent is acompound having two or more terminal carbon-carbon double or triplebonds.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first reactive polymercomposition comprises a (co)polymer formed from one or more monomersselected from the group consisting of acrylates, methacrylates, olefins,ethers, styrenes, fluoroolefins, esters, carbonates, urethanes, vinylchlorides, vinyl chloride acetates, amides, imides, acetals,methylpentenes, sulfones, acrylics, styrene acrylics, andacrylonitriles.